Yen Rises Amid BoJ Rate Hike Speculation
20 Marzo 2025 - 3:58AM
RTTF2
The Japanese yen strengthened against other major currencies in
the Asian session on Thursday, as traders speculate that the Bank
of Japan (BoJ) will continue raising interest rates as robust wage
growth may increase consumer spending and fuel inflation.
Ongoing concerns about U.S. President Donald Trump's trade
policies and their effects on the world economy as well as
geopolitical dangers, also contributed to the upturn of safe-haven
JPY.
The U.S. Fed announced its widely expected decision to again
leave interest rates unchanged but signaled that it is still likely
to lower rates twice later this year.
The accompanying statement by the Fed noted "uncertainty around
the economic outlook has increased," and the Fed said it is
"attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate." Fed
officials still forecast rates in a range of 3.75 to 4.0 percent by
the end of the year.
However, global ratings agency Fitch has lowered its global
growth forecast and warned that U.S. President Donald Trump's
reciprocal tariffs will push up inflation and delay Fed rate
cuts.
Traders now looked ahead to the monetary policy announcements
from the Bank of England and the Swiss National Bank later in the
day.
The Japanese market is closed for Vernal Equinox holiday
today.
In the Asian trading today, the yen rose to a 6-day high of
148.18 against the U.S. dollar, from yesterday's closing value of
148.46. On the upside, 145.00 is seen as the next resistance level
for the yen.
Against the euro, the pound and the Swiss franc, the yen
advanced to 3-day highs of 161.64, 192.77 and 169.09, from
Wednesday's closing quotes of 162.00, 193.15 and 169.37,
respectively. If the yen extends its uptrend, it is likely to find
resistance around 155.00 against the euro, 190.00 against the pound
and 166.00 against the franc.
Against Australia, the New Zealand and the Canadian dollars, the
yen climbed to 3-day highs of 93.86, 85.82 and 103.42 from
yesterday's closing quotes of 94.47, 86.39 and 103.66,
respectively. The yen may test resistance near 92.00 against the
aussie, 83.00 against the kiwi and 101.00 against the loonie.
Looking ahead, Switzerland foreign trade data for February, U.K.
unemployment data for January and German PPI data for February are
slated for release in the European session.
At 4:30 am ET, the Swiss National Bank announces its monetary
policy decision. The SNB is widely expected to lower the interest
rate by 25 basis points to 0.25 percent. But today's rate is likely
to be the last in the current easing cycle as the currency has
weakened notably over the last few months.
At 8:00 am ET, the Bank of England announces its monetary policy
decision. The BoE is likely to sit tight on rates today as
inflation remains sticky. The nine-member policy committee is
widely seen holding the rate at 4.50 percent in a split vote.
In the New York session, U.S. Current Account data for the
fourth quarter, U.S. weekly jobless claims data, existing home
sales for February AND U.S. Consumer Board's leading index for
February are slated for release.
Grafico Cross Euro vs Yen (FX:EURJPY)
Da Feb 2025 a Mar 2025
Grafico Cross Euro vs Yen (FX:EURJPY)
Da Mar 2024 a Mar 2025